Monday, August 24, 2015

Counting Down the Days....

August 24, 2015

I hope that your summer has been filled with fun and relaxation.  I am looking forward to welcoming your children back to school!

While your children have been off enjoying all that summer has to offer, the school has been a hub of activity.  We have welcomed 26 students.  Students have come from as nearby as Malden and as faraway as China!  I am always so delighted and proud to welcome new families to this amazing community!

There were MANY room changes made this summer with the goal of clustering grade levels. Research supports the fact that proximity makes a difference for student learning. There is so little time to collaborate with colleagues, and we want to capitalize on the time we do have together!

Having said that, I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Muraco staff.  Moving classrooms is a huge undertaking, and they spent countless hours of their own time planning, packing, unpacking, and setting up new classrooms.  The transformation is near completion, and I know that our students will not be disappointed!

I want to give a warm welcome and a big "Shout Out" to Steve Queen, our head custodian.  He handled the many moves in stride and worked with Dave and a crew of High School students to get the job done!  Steve was a custodian at the High School, and his experience shows in all that does. Our floors and carpets have never been as clean!

Staff Update:  I am delighted to announce the newest members of the Muraco team!

  • As a result of our growing enrollment in second grade, Ms. Gillian Goldman will be joining the second grade team. For the past 3 years she has worked in the Milton Public Schools as a special education teacher in a co teaching model. 
  • Ms. Lynn Mazzocchi is returning from a year's leave and will be joining the third grade team.  Lynn had been a special education teacher in the Muraco community for 5 years prior to her leave, and before her tenure here she worked at McCall for 2 years as a special education teacher. Lynn has elementary education, special education, and reading specialist certifications and is looking forward to working as the lead teacher in a classroom.
  • Mrs. Rennee Deschenes has been hired as a .5 special education teacher.  She will be working with students in K-2.  For the past couple of years she has worked in the Acton Public Schools as a special education teacher.  
  • Gina Addonizio will be our new reading specialist. She is taking the place of Pat DiFranco, who retired at the end of last year.  For the past several years Gina has worked at the High School as a reading specialist, and she is eager to work with our younger students.
  • Dan Htoo-Levine will be filling in for Kit Perkins, our music teacher, who has extended her maternity leave for this year.  Last year Dan completed a similar role in the Lincoln Public Schools.
  • Kyle Foley and DeAnne Pontone have been hired as special education teaching assistants.  Kyle will be supporting students in the fifth grade and DeAnne will be supporting students in third grade.
Save the Dates

Wednesday, September 2:  
  • Muraco Family Picnic:  4-6 Muraco Playground

Tuesday, September 8:  
  • Students First Day - Release Day
  • Welcome Back Coffee:  8:40 Library

Wednesday, September 9:  
  • Welcome Back Coffee:  8:40 Library
  • Release Day
Monday, September 14:
  • Rosh Hashanah:  Day Off